(From Sony literature) Sony’s new α NEX-3N digital camera delivers professional quality photos and Full HD videos in an ultra-compact body weighing in at just under 7.5 ounces, making it the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera with an APS-C size sensor*.

The new NEX-3N camera will be offered as a kit with the sharp, compact SELP1650 motorized zoom lens, offering the ultimate package of portability and performance in a compact system camera. The camera features a newly added zoom lever on top of the body, allowing for smooth fingertip control of lens focal length. The lever can also adjust digital zoom on the camera if a powered zoom lens (SELP1650 or SELP18200) is not being used.

The powerful, 16.1 effective megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor in the new NEX-3N camera is identical in size to those found in traditional DSLR cameras. Its large surface area takes in more light during image capture, allowing the camera to produce flawless, low-noise photographs with blurred backgrounds and highly detailed full HD videos (60i/24p). It also boosts maximum camera sensitivity to ISO16000, resulting in exceptional low-light shooting performance.

“The new NEX-3N is the ideal camera to introduce consumers to the creative world of interchangeable lens photography, offering new levels of performance and convenience never before realized in a mirrorless model,” said Mike Kahn, director of the Alpha business at Sony. “By pairing the camera with our retractable SELP1650 lens, loading it up with a host of our newest, most advanced technologies and offering it at a great price point, we’ve created a palm-sized powerhouse that promises outstanding value for our customers.”

The NEX-3N camera debuts new Auto Object Framing technology, which allows shooters to create professionally framed photos with each composition. This innovative feature identifies the main object of the framed scene – whether it’s one person, two people or even macro and moving subjects – and then automatically trims the scene around the object to create a professionally-styled composition. The cropped photo is then boosted to full resolution using Sony’s unique By Pixel Super Resolution technology, which uses pattern matching to maintain superb image detail, tones and textures. Both the original and cropped image files are saved for review.

Additionally, the NEX-3N model is built with an evolved BIONZ processor that utilizes the same area-specific noise reduction technology featured on Sony’s acclaimed full-frame α99 camera. The high-power processor individually adjusts level of noise reduction and sharpness in different imaging areas, assuring crisp, ultra-low noise handheld shots in all types of lighting situations without loss of detail.

The NEX-3N is also the first E-mount interchangeable lens camera from Sony that offers support for new “TRILUMINOS Color”. This allows consumers to experience a dramatically expanded palette of vivid, ultra-realistic colors when videos and still images from the camera are played back on any BRAVIA TV with support for “TRILUMINOS Display”.

Other convenient essentials include a crisp, bright, 7.5cm (3.0-type) LCD screen that flips 180 degrees for hassle-free self-portraits, as well as a new, easy-to-hold textured grip.

Shooters can now choose from a range of 13 high-quality E-mount lenses available for use with the NEX-3N camera to realize its full creative potential. The line-up includes a variety of telephoto, zoom, wide angle, and macro lenses manufactured by both Sony and Carl Zeiss® to suit any shooting situation. Each model blends superb optical performance with elegant styling to complement the E-mount camera line.

Pricing and AvailabilityThe new NEX-3N compact digital camera will be available this April in black and white in a kit with the motorized 16-50mm zoom lens (model SELP1650) for about $500.

The camera kit and a range of compatible E-mount lenses and accessories including the LCS-SB1 sling bag will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

*Among interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C size sensor and built-in flash, as of February 2013